OVERBURDENED TRUTH COMMISSIONS RISK BECOMING ‘VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS’– UN EXPERT

From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 13 Sep 2013 14:00:00 -0400
Subject: OVERBURDENED TRUTH COMMISSIONS RISK BECOMING 'VICTIMS OF
THEIR OWN SUCCESS'– UN EXPERT
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

OVERBURDENED TRUTH COMMISSIONS RISK BECOMING 'VICTIMS OF THEIR OWN
SUCCESS'– UN EXPERTNew York, Sep 13 2013 2:00PMWhile "truth
commissions" – independent panels set up in the aftermath of conflict
to resolve tensions and promote reconciliation – are vital to many
countries trying to rebuild their societies, a United Nations
independent expert today warned that the mechanisms risked falling
short of expectations because the were burdened by overbroad mandates
and unreliable funding.

Presenting his latest report to the Geneva-Based Human Rights Council,
UN Special Rapporteur on transitional justice Pablo de Greiff
<"http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13722&LangID=E">cautioned
that truth commissions increasingly face a number of important
challenges, and "risk becoming victims of their own success."

"The truth about atrocities must carry consequences," he said, but
stressed that implementation of commissions' recommendations is
severely lacking and "therefore victims are left with partial, if any
redress."

Mr. de Greiff underscored that truth commissions have made significant
contributions to transitional processes, giving voice to victims of
atrocities, backing the implementation of other transitional justice
measures, and giving a meaning to the right to truth.

However, he warned, they face various challenges which can lead to the
non-implementation of recommendations; among them are overly broad
mandates, flawed choices of commissioners, and insufficient and
unreliable funding streams.

Describing the expectations placed on these bodies, he said that
nowadays truth commissions are supposed to juggle functions of
fact-finding, victim-tracing and redress, provide comprehensive
analysis of underlying causes, and generate comprehensive structural
and institutional reform proposals. "At times, they are even tasked
with clarifying and resolving corruption cases, and with the
monumental task of bringing about reconciliation," said Mr. de Greiff.

"As temporary bodies, with finite resources and competencies,
commissions are simply not in a position to meet all of these
expectations," the expert underlined. "On their own, they cannot be
expected to assume such a broad array of functions and bring about a
successful transition."

"They are not and cannot be made responsible for the implementation of
their own recommendations," Mr. de Greiff stressed. "This
responsibility lies clearly with the States". In his view,
"commissions need to be assigned adequate, targeted and feasible
functions."

He further stressed that truth commissions derive their power, to a
large extent, from the moral authority and the expertise of
commissioners, and therefore recommended that States "prioritize
expertise over partisan political affiliation and ethnic identities,
as the latter will likely result in tracking prevailing political or
social cleavages."

"Selection procedures need to sufficiently vet commissioners for
professionalism and integrity," the Special Rapporteur added, calling
for the development of international standards.

"In the end", he noted: "It should be remembered that insight is a
precondition of, but not the same thing as, successful transformation.
Revealing the truth is a critical part of processes leading to the
establishment of regimes of rights. Acting upon such truth requires
political determination, civil society participation, and financial
resources".

Special Rapporteur de Greiff also called on post-authoritarian and
post-conflict States to pursue a comprehensive transitional justice
approach and on the international community to support these countries
in expeditious, reliable, and sustainable ways, throughout the work of
a commission and after.

Independent experts or special rapporteurs are appointed by the Human
Rights Council to examine and report back, in an unpaid capacity, on
specific human rights themes.Sep 13 2013 2:00PM
________________
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and
Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

To change your profile or unsubscribe go to: http://www.un.org/apps/news/email/


--
President of The United States
Guy Ralph Perea Sr President of The United States
Weatherdata1046am0426 a Discussion Group of
Weatherdata<http://groups.google.com/group/weatherdata1046am0426>
USFMSC
http://www.cityfreq.com/ca/avalon/>
QUALIFY QICP
OCCUPS
http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/025062010.html
goldlandabstracts; link check
own search engine - The United
States International Policies
http://lnk.ms/8d5gl aol
http://groups.google.com/group/united-states-of-american
http://twitter.com/ptusss Federal Communication
Commission<http://columbiabroadcast.spaces.live.com/>

Ambassador Chevy Chase; Kevin Corcran; Jack Nickolas; Cher; Shirley Temple
Black; Liza Minnille; Ansari; Ernest Tascoe; Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Agent Jodie Foster; Department of Veterans Affairs Director George H.W. Bush
Title 22 USCS section 1928 (b) The e-mail
transmission may contain legally privileged information that
is intended only for the individual or entity recipient, you are hereby,
notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance upon the
contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
E-mail transmission in error, please reply to the sender, so arrangements
can be made for proper delivery. Title 42
USCS section 192 etseq Margie Paxton Chief of Childrens Bureau
Director of The United States Department of Human Services; Defendant
Article IV General Provisions Section 2
(Supreme Law of The Land) The Constitution of The United States "Any thing
in The Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary Notwithstanding"
Contrary to Law (of an act or omission) illegal;
https://twitter.com/ptusss